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  1. Angus: Our 2018 Mutt Strutt Spokesdog

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    Angus was adopted by Der Au when he was just 10 weeks old. She knew that Angus was for her the first time she saw him. Der Au also knew as soon as she adopted him that she was going to need help. She had adopted a Great Dane in the past, but that dog was already an adult and very well-behaved when she came into Der Au’s life. With 10-week-old Angus, she was entering new territory.

    She reached out to 2SpeakDog for guidance and was lucky to have trainers Kasey Herrera and Jennifer Kyzer come to her house within two days of bringing him home. That was the beginning of Der Au’s long, wonderful relationship with 2SpeakDog. She made sure to enroll Angus in any and all classes that they offered. He was the first pup to complete and pass multiple classes and was part of the first class to receive his American Kennel Club (AKC) Community Canine title. At just eight months old, Angus passed all his classes and graduated as a Canine Good Citizen.

    From there, Der Au made sure Angus was out and about as much as possible. He continued training at 2SpeakDog and even assisted the trainers by serving as a mentor for the other pups at the facility. Angus was not only smart, he was loyal, lovable, always willing to please, eager, gentle, protective, and large – his nickname was “Moose” after all!

    Then, a week before Thanksgiving 2016, Angus started showing signs that something wasn’t right. He didn’t want to eat, despite still acting like his playful, usual self. Der Au suspected that Angus ate something he shouldn’t have, so she took him to his veterinarian. After an exam and x-rays, Angus’ vet was stumped too. Like Der Au, he also brought up the possibility that Angus ate something.

    Because they weren’t sure what was coming across on the x-ray, they didn’t want to perform surgery right away. They gave Angus some medicine to try and resolve the issue, but it didn’t work as they had hoped. He continued to not be able to eat, and Der Au knew something was very wrong. Even though his energy and demeanor were the same, the fact that he wasn’t eating meant that this wasn’t a sustainable situation.

    Per the doctor’s instructions, Der Au took Angus back a week after his initial appointment. An ultrasound showed something on Angus’ spleen – a tumor. The doctor wanted to take Angus into an emergency surgery, given that spleen tumors are incredibly dangerous and can cause the organ to explode. That evening during surgery, Angus’ veterinarian removed a 4.5 lb. tumor about the size of a football. Following the surgery, Der Au took Angus to the emergency vet for an overnight stay and post-op care.

    Finally, in late December, Der Au learned that Angus had stromal sarcoma, which is a type of cancer seen in less than 5% of animals. After meeting with an oncologist, the doctor explained that this form of cancer is extremely aggressive. Der Au was told that she had, at most, a few months left with her boy.

    Der Au contemplated all her options after learning Angus’ horrible diagnosis. Treatment wasn’t an option and she did not want to prolong his suffering, so she let him live the best life she could over the next few months. During their time together, Angus taught and gave so much to Der Au. She made sure to do the same for him too. Four months and two days after his surgery, Angus passed.

    When asked what she’d like to say to other pet owners facing a cancer diagnosis with their own pets, Der Au had this to share:

    “All I can say is when anyone is given a diagnosis of cancer for their pet, first process the news and DO your research. Choose whatever treatment is best for your particular situation because no two cancers are exactly alike. Take each day at a time and love and cherish every minute you have with your ‘best’ friend. Allow your pet to let you know when they are ‘tired’ and ready to go–it is not a time to be selfish.  Never ever let them suffer.”

    Angus’ memory lives on in the mission of FETCH a Cure, which works to educate and provide financial assistance to families whose dog or cat has been diagnosed with cancer. As part of the nonprofit’s 2018 Mutt Strutt Pet Cancer Awareness Walk, we will walk in memory of Angus and all of the other beloved pets lost to this disease. Working with the community, FETCH can provide hope and options in the face of a cancer diagnosis. Together, we can save more best friends’ lives.

    If you would like to purchase tickets to the 2018 Mutt Strutt Pet Cancer Awareness Walk, please click here. You don’t have to be local or attend the event to help pets in need. Share your story and start your personal fundraising page or join a fundraising team by clicking here. Every dollar raised will go on to support pets battling cancer in Virginia, Maryland and DC. Thank you for helping people and pets in our community.

  2. Giving Virginia Shelter Dogs a Second Chance

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    At this time last year, a sweet, gentle six-year-old pup named Luke entered our Pixie’s Pen Pals program. Through a partnership with the Virginia Department of Corrections, the Pen Pals program places homeless dogs like Luke in correctional facilities to be trained and socialized by inmate handlers under the guidance of professional dog trainers. The program not only lowers euthanasia rates in local shelters, it also provides the inmate handlers with life-long skills.

    Luke adored his caretakers at the prison. They made him feel safe, and even began carrying him up and down the stairs when he began showing signs of pain in his back legs. As it turns out, his pain amounted to much more than simple knee issues – Luke needed orthopedic (TPLO) surgery for torn ligaments in both of his hind legs. For FETCH, the health of our Pen Pals dogs is a top priority, so the two surgeries, which cost over $5,000, were quickly scheduled.

    Now, a year later, and after a long recovery, Luke is living his dream life in his forever home. His parents, Rachel and Tyler, along with their three-year-old daughter, say that it was love at first sight with Luke.

    “His cute little wrinkly face and the way he crosses his paws when he lays down was more than I could handle,” Rachel says, “and I knew we had to add him to our family.”

    Luke has become especially close to their three-year-old, who loved on him and gave him plenty of “get better snuggles” following his second surgery.

    “In just a short amount of time Luke has become our 3 year old’s best friend. He is a constant companion and snuggler with all of us and he has had no reservations in loving us or becoming attached to us […] From the first day we brought him home it has felt like a missing piece has finally been filled and we are so glad we get to come home to his crazy self every day.”

    Without the Pen Pals program, Rachel hates to think about what kind of pain Luke would be in or where he would have ended up. Like Luke, other Pen Pals dogs with non-routine medical needs have gone on to be adopted by loving families that can’t image life without their companions.

    At FETCH a Cure, we believe in giving shelter dogs in our communities a second chance at life. We’d like to continue to rescue and house dogs with ongoing health issues. But to do so, we need additional support from animal lovers like you.

    Luke’s story is only one out of the hundreds of animals we’ve saved through the Pen Pals program. You can create another happily ever after for a rescue dog in need. Please make a contribution today by visiting our Donate Page, purchasing much-needed items from our Amazon Wishlist, or by mailing a check to FETCH a Cure at 5711 Staples Mill Road, Suite 101, Richmond, VA 23228.

    Any amount you decide to give will make a huge difference in a pet’s life. Thank you so much for enabling FETCH to help more people and pets in our communities.

  3. “Canine statue to be dedicated at Short Pump Park”

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    Courtesy of Henrico Citizen

    Special to the Citizen | on August 10, 2018

    By Jocelyn Grzeszczak, Special to the Citizen

    Short Pump Park soon will have a new permanent canine resident.

    In collaboration with FETCH a Cure, Henrico County Recreation and Parks Aug. 11 will reveal a red steel dog sculpture that will be placed directly outside of the fenced-in dog park.

    FETCH a Cure is a Henrico-based nonprofit organization that works to improve the quality of life for pets by spreading awareness about pet cancer, which affects an estimated six million dogs and six million cats each year.

    The statue, which is a part of the Steel Dog Project, will join approximately 200 other steel dogs in the Virginia, Maryland and D.C. area as a signature part of FETCH’s pet cancer awareness campaign.

    “When people see them, they’ll be reminded of pet cancer and that there are resources out there,” FETCH’s Associate Director of Development Sarah Moseley said.

    To begin the process of installing the statue, FETCH first reached out to Recreation and Parks and suggested Short Pump Park as a potential location, Recreation and Parks Marketing Specialist Pam Kempf said. The park, which is located on Pump Road, has become a popular spot for both families and their pets, she said.

    This will be the organization’s first sculpture in a public dog park; previous steel dog “litters” had been purchased by local businesses and individuals and were built on a smaller scale, Moseley said.

    “Business owners and other places have theirs on wheels so they can be displayed however they want to, brought outside, brought back inside,” Moseley said. “But this one will be secured to a base, so it’s more of a permanent installation.”

    The statue, measuring approximately four feet tall, four feet long and a foot wide, also will include signage with information about FETCH a Cure’s mission and how to contact the group.

    The organization started in 2006 after founder Mike Holland’s dog, Hannah, was diagnosed with nasal osteosarcoma of the skull. Holland had trouble finding information about the disease and what he could do, so he created FETCH to raise awareness and educate pet owners about pet cancer.

    One of the organization’s programs, Companions in Crisis, helps fund some of the treatment costs for pet owners who are unable to bear the financial burden of cancer treatment, Moseley said.

    “Anyone with a dog or cat can know [that] even routine care gets pretty expensive,” she said. “We just like to give people hope when they get that scary diagnosis, and they know that we’re here as an option. Our mission is to build a community where no one is denied a choice for their pet’s health due to lack of options, education or funding.”

    Through individual donations, annual events such as a charity gala and golf tournament, as well as the steel dog sponsors, FETCH is able to cover about 20 to 30 percent of pet cancer treatment costs for each recipient, Moseley said.

    Henrico Recreation and Parks officials decided to get involved because of FETCH’s important and rarely-discussed message, Kempf said.

    “It’s a positive thing that they’re doing for the families that are in Henrico and the Richmond region,” she said. “They educate people, they raise awareness about a topic that I don’t think a lot of people know about. It’s a really helpful message for our dog owners to hear about.”

    To catch the first glimpse of the new installation, as well as learn more about FETCH and pet cancer education, attend the unveiling ceremony located in front of the Short Pump Park dog park. The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place Aug. 11 at 10 a.m.

  4. Barkley: Therapy Dog, Best Friend and Cancer Survivor

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    Courtesy of Barkley’s mom, Kathleen, and written in April of 2018:

    Barkley is a 5 year old lab/hound mix that we adopted almost three years ago from the SPCA in Richmond. Barkley quickly became a beloved member of our family.

    I am a nurse working at Tucker Pavilion at CJW Medical Center. Tucker Pavilion is fortunate enough to have an incredible pet therapy program, having two full time dogs that provide therapy to our patients in therapeutic group settings. These dogs had been professionally bred and trained for being facility dogs by Canine Companions for Independence. After witnessing these dogs with our patients over the course of some time, I realized that my dog, Barkley had the perfect temperament to be a facility dog. I approached the director of the pet therapy program and learned what I would need to do to train him to be a therapy dog. I trained him on my own over the course of a year. We earned CGC certification and Alliance of Therapy Dogs certification. We became a member of Caring Canines and volunteered, getting as much experience as possible in hospitals, schools and day centers. Finally about 5 weeks ago, Barkley was ready to come on full time. So now Barkley comes to work everyday with me and one of therapists brings Barkley to groups throughout the day. The staff and the patients have fallen in love with Barkley.

    This is a quote from Facebook that the director of the pet therapy program, Daniel Ronquillo posted:

    “A month ago my most recent addition to my Pet Therapy Program at the hospital has been Barkley, a 5yo hound-lab mix.  Gentle, loving, and incredibly empathetic, is truly a part of the nature of Barkley’s soul.  He knows exactly how to touch the hearts of my patients.  Within several weeks of working full-time, we all were heartbroken to discover he has cancer.  Kathleen (“Kathy”), an RN I have had the privilege of working with, is companion/owner of Barkley, and worked very hard over the past year to have him trained and certified, in order to join our program.  Barkley is far too important to all of us, and we are not giving up.  Fortunately the cancer is contained to one of his back legs, which will be removed.  I know many of you knew how difficult the loss of Fraser was last year, during his fight with cancer.  My hope is that many you of will help us in raising funds for Barkley’s upcoming surgery.  Thank you so much.”

    One week ago Barkley was diagnosed with a liposarcoma in the left rear leg. The prognosis is good, if the leg is amputated. The veterinarian has explained to me that it will aid the surgeons greatly in removing all of the tumor if Barkley has an MRI. The sooner the procedure is done the better the chances of a positive outcome. There is a strong chance if the entire tumor is removed that the cancer may never reoccur, and Barkley could live into old age. Just the diagnostics have cost almost $1400. […] I am working every day, 12 hours shifts, to make overtime to pay for the procedure. I started a go-fund-me page at the encouragement of my colleagues. My friends and colleagues have been unbelievably supportive. We have raised over $2000. The procedure with MRI is estimated to cost $5,500. This is why I am asking for your help. My son, John who is 15, and I will be very happy to volunteer, in any capacity at Companions in Crisis.

    […]

    Barkley has a way of reaching patients suffering from any range of mental illnesses, from depression to psychosis that often times we cannot. It is a joy to watch patients light up when they see Barkley walk on the unit. Most importantly Barkley is my best friend and a beloved member of our family and I will do anything to save his life.

    Barkley’s Post-Surgery Update

    I just wanted to give you an update. Dr. Mercurio ended up operating on, Wednesday, 4/18 because he wanted to clear his schedule. Barkley’s was the only surgery they did that day. From prep time to extubation the procedure took about 7 to 8 hours. The mass had grown up into the pelvic area so he had to take out part of the pelvis which is called a hemipelvectomy. This surgery is rarely done. Luckily we had Dr. Mercurio, who had done these in the past at other facilities. There are very few doctors that have done this surgery in the area. It was a very difficult surgery. When he took out the tumor he marked the regions that were lying close to vital organs. The entire leg and all tissue removed was sent off to pathology. The pathology will tell us the grade of the tumor,  if the tumor was encapsulated and how clean the margins were.

    That should come back in 10 days. Barkley was kept on IV fentanyl, ketamine and lidocaine, along with IV fluids and antibiotics, for the first two days. He stood the first night and walked about 40 feet the next morning. He came home from the hospital on Friday and is resting comfortably with me. I have taken the week off to care for him. He has been walking, three to four times a day. He had his JP drain out on Monday. He is tolerating food and water and appears to be in minimal discomfort. I have been monitoring his wound and insuring that he gets his meds on time. He is still on frequent pain meds, anti inflammatories, and daily antibiotics.

    I want to assure you that the grant money was put to good use. Barkley could not have received better, more highly skilled, state of the art care. Dr. Mercurio and his surgical team were amazing. Everyone at VVC treated Barkley, myself and my son wonderfully. […] Again a big thank you to [Companions] in Crisis for helping make this possible.

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  5. Give Love; Get Love

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    The following story is courtesy of Jonathan K., a former Pen Pals handler:

    Jonathan entered into the prison system at 18 years old. He came from a broken, drug-infested and criminal home life early on. Jonathan never knew who his father was, and his mother was a heroin addict, prostitute and criminal for years before he was born. Jonathan lived from place to place — in cars and shelters, and was even passed around to multiple family members early on in his life. Jonathan’s mother would occasionally get caught in illegal activities and would spend some time in jail and/or drug rehab.

    Jonathan grew up in an environment where he had little to no care, similar to a lot of the dogs that come through the Pen Pals program. Jonathan was left wandering the streets, stealing and selling food stamps to buy cigarettes and candy from the local stores in Petersburg, VA.

    Jonathan’s mother died of a heroin overdose when he was just 14 years old. After that, Jonathan ended up being passed around from family member to family member until no one wanted him anymore. At that time, around 16 years old, Jonathan dropped out of school and started working on the streets. Selling drugs and stealing were just a few of the criminal activities Jonathan was involved in, which landed him in prison at the young age of 18.

    Early on in Jonathan’s prison life; he stayed in trouble — fighting, gambling and getting involved in all sorts of activities that were against the VA DOC rules. Jonathan was a bottom-dweller immersed in a mindset of anger and resentment for most of his time. Until… he heard of a dog training program coming to JRCC and anyone could sign up; but only the model inmates would be selected.

    Jonathan was accepted shortly after the program started. And it wasn’t long before he built an amazing relationship with the program’s dogs. He felt they had so many similarities in their lives, and as they bonded, that’s when a dramatic change truly started to take place — for himself and the dogs he worked with.

    Jonathan looked at the success he was having training dogs for adoption, and from there, he started to look within. He realized that if he could make a change for unruly dogs, then why couldn’t he do this for himself? Jonathan was the primary trainer for the 1st few rounds of Pen Pals dogs that came in, but after the 1st successful year, he dropped back into a backup trainer role, because now Jonathan had to work on himself as well.

    With only 2 years left until his release, and now being 24 years old, Jonathan knew he had to  make a change for his future. Jonathan enrolled into the JRCC Computer Electronics class and continued his work with the Pen Pals program, helping new inmates adjust and teaching the patience and discipline it takes to train dogs.

    Jonathan had a new love for life. A new purpose and passion. When Jonathan was released in 2004, times had changed significantly over the past 8 years. Getting a job was hard, adjusting to society was hard. Everyone judged him based on his past. Jonathan went and adopted an old dog from a local shelter. He worked with this dog and trained him, and this gave Jonathan a sense of peace, a sense of being wanted and loved while every door was slammed in his face when applying for jobs. “Give Love; Get Love” was Jonathan’s new motto in life. He would not give up or ever give in because he knew deep down, he was worth something. And if not to anybody else, he knew this dog needed him!

    Jonathan finally, 3 years after being released, landed his 1st IT Helpdesk job with a company that decided to give him a chance at life. During that interview, Jonathan was very honest and spoke of the dog training program and how it helped him turn his life around. It taught him to love and be loved. It taught him patience and kindness and that something depended on him to be the best he can be!

    As we now shuffle into 2018, what ever happened to Jonathan? How did he fair in the real world of bills, work, family and society?

    Jonathan took that helpdesk opportunity and never looked back. Now Jonathan is the Global Director of Digital Technology Solutions for one of the biggest IT & Engineering companies in the world. Jonathan has been married now for 9 years and has 4 beautiful daughters and identical twin boys. He still works with dogs in his spare time and his family are huge dog lovers… and cats, and squirrels, and just about any animal you can think of!

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